Control device, control method, and nonvolatile computer readable medium

ABSTRACT

A control device controls an inhaler having a detection unit for detecting a user operation and a heating unit which generates, by heating a base material, a substance that is inhaled by a user. The control device includes a control unit for controlling the heating unit on the basis of the user operation detected by the detection unit. The control unit causes the heating unit to operate in a first heating state, if the detection unit detects a first user operation, and causes the heating unit to operate in a second heating state that is different from the first heating state, if the detection unit detects a second user operation different from the first user operation, while the heating unit is operating in the first heating state.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a control device, a control method, anda nonvolatile computer readable medium. This application is acontinuation application based on International Patent Application No.PCT/JP2020/011903 filed on Mar. 18, 2020, and the content of the PCTinternational application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

Inhaler devices, such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers,generating material to be inhaled by users are in widespread use. Forexample, an inhaler device uses an aerosol source for generating anaerosol and a substrate including a flavor source for imparting a flavorcomponent to the generated aerosol to generate the aerosol to which theflavor component is imparted. When a user inhales the aerosol, generatedby the inhaler device, to which the flavor component is imparted, theuser can enjoy the flavor.

Various techniques related to inhaler devices have been developed inrecent years. For example, Patent Literature 1 listed below discloses aninhaler device that first activates a heater in response to detection ofa user operation and activates a delivery device with a delay of a fewseconds.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP 2019-513354A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

With the technique described in Patent Literature 1 listed above, aplurality of processes are performed step by step in response to asingle user operation. However, for example, it is difficult tointerrupt a process while the plurality of processes are beingperformed, and there is room for improvement in usability.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of theabove-described issue, and an object of the present invention is toprovide a system for attaining further improvement in usability of aninhaler device.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the above-described issue, according to an aspect ofthe present invention, there is provided a control device forcontrolling an inhaler device including a detector that detects a useroperation and a heater that heats a substrate to thereby generatematerial to be inhaled by a user, the control device including acontroller that controls the heater on the basis of the user operationdetected by the detector, in which the controller causes the heater tooperate in a first heating state in response to the detector detecting afirst user operation, and causes the heater to operate in a secondheating state different from the first heating state in response to thedetector detecting a second user operation different form the first useroperation while causing the heater to operate in the first heatingstate.

The first heating state may be a state where an upper limit of atemperature of the heater is lower than an upper limit of thetemperature of the heater in the second heating state.

An amount of the material that is to be inhaled by the user and that isgenerated in response to the heater heating the substrate at the upperlimit of the temperature of the heater in the first heating state may besmaller than an amount of the material that is to be inhaled by the userand that is generated in response to the heater heating the substrate atthe upper limit of the temperature of the heater in the second heatingstate.

A rate of rise in a temperature of the heater in the first heating stateand a rate of rise in the temperature of the heater in the secondheating state may be equal to each other.

The first heating state may be a state where a rate of rise in atemperature of the heater is lower than a rate of rise in thetemperature of the heater in the second heating state.

Performing the first user operation may be performing a predetermineduser operation continuously for a first duration, and performing thesecond user operation may be performing the predetermined user operationcontinuously for a second duration longer than the first duration.

The first heating state may be a state where heating is performed whenthe predetermined user operation is continuously performed.

When the predetermined user operation is not detected any more after aduration in which the predetermined user operation is continuouslyperformed reaches the first duration and before the duration reaches thesecond duration, the controller may stop heating by the heater that isoperating in the first heating state.

The second heating state may be a state where heating is performedwithout the predetermined user operation being continuously performed.

The controller may stop heating by the heater when a duration in whichthe predetermined user operation is continuously performed reaches athird duration longer than the second duration.

When the number of times the predetermined user operation is detectedreaches a predetermined number of times within a fourth time period, thecontroller may control the heater so as not to perform heating until afifth time period elapses.

The inhaler device may further include a notifier that providesinformation to the user, and the controller may control the notifier toprovide first information before a duration in which the predetermineduser operation is continuously performed reaches the first duration.

The inhaler device may further include a notifier that providesinformation to the user, and the controller may control the notifier toprovide second information in response to detection of the second useroperation.

Performing the first user operation may be performing a predetermineduser operation, and performing the second user operation may beperforming the predetermined user operation continuously for a secondduration.

In order to solve the above-described issue, according to another aspectof the present invention, there is provided a control method forcontrolling an inhaler device including a detector that detects a useroperation and a heater that heats a substrate to thereby generatematerial to be inhaled by a user, the control method includingcontrolling the heater on the basis of the user operation detected bythe detector, in which the controlling of the heater includes causingthe heater to operate in a first heating state in response to thedetector detecting a first user operation, and causing the heater tooperate in a second heating state different from the first heating statein response to the detector detecting a second user operation differentform the first user operation while causing the heater to operate in thefirst heating state.

In order to solve the above-described issue, according to another aspectof the present invention, there is provided a non-transitory computerreadable medium having a program stored therein, the program causing acomputer for controlling an inhaler device including a detector thatdetects a user operation and a heater that heats a substrate to therebygenerate material to be inhaled by a user, to function as a controllerthat controls the heater on the basis of the user operation detected bythe detector, in which the controller causes the heater to operate in afirst heating state in response to the detector detecting a first useroperation, and causes the heater to operate in a second heating statedifferent from the first heating state in response to the detectordetecting a second user operation different form the first useroperation while causing the heater to operate in the first heatingstate.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As described above, according to the present invention, a system forattaining further improvement in usability of an inhaler device isprovided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of an inhalerdevice according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a graph of an example of a typical heating profile.

FIG. 3 is a graph of example changes in the temperature of a heateraccording to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a graph of example changes in the temperature of the heateraccording to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the effect of shortening the waittime of a user attained by the inhaler device according to the presentembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example of the flow of a process performedby the inhaler device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a configuration example of an inhalersystem according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example of the flow of a process performedby a control device according to the present embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note thatin the specification and drawings, structural elements havingsubstantially the same functional configurations are assigned the samereference signs to thereby omit a duplicated description.

1. First embodiment

1.1. Configuration example of inhaler device

An inhaler device generates material to be inhaled by a user. In theexample described below, the material generated by the inhaler device isan aerosol. Alternatively, the material generated by the inhaler devicemay be gas.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of an inhalerdevice according to a first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, aninhaler device 100 according to the present configuration exampleincludes a power supply 111, a sensor 112, a notifier 113, a memory 114,a communicator 115, a controller 116, a heater 121, a holder 140, and aheat insulator 144.

The power supply 111 stores electric power. The power supply 111supplies electric power to the structural elements of the inhaler device100 under the control of the controller 116. The power supply 111 may bea rechargeable battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery.

The sensor 112 acquires various items of information regarding theinhaler device 100. In an example, the sensor 112 may be a pressuresensor such as a microphone condenser, a flow sensor, or a temperaturesensor, and acquire a value generated in accordance with the user'sinhalation. In another example, the sensor 112 may be an input devicethat receives information input by the user, such as a button or aswitch.

The notifier 113 provides information to the user. The notifier 113 maybe a light-emitting device that emits light, a display device thatdisplays an image, a sound output device that outputs sound, or avibration device that vibrates.

The memory 114 stores various items of information for operation of theinhaler device 100. The memory 114 may be a non-volatile storage mediumsuch as flash memory.

The communicator 115 is a communication interface capable ofcommunication in conformity with any wired or wireless communicationstandard. Such a communication standard may be, for example, Wi-Fi(registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

The controller 116 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and acontrol circuit, and controls the overall operations of the inhalerdevice 100 in accordance with various programs. The controller 116includes an electronic circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU)or a microprocessor, for example.

The holder 140 has an internal space 141, and holds a stick substrate150 in a manner partially accommodated in the internal space 141. Theholder 140 has an opening 142 that allows the internal space 141 tocommunicate with outside. The holder 140 holds the stick substrate 150that is inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142.For example, the holder 140 may be a tubular body having the opening 142and a bottom 143 on its ends, and may define the pillar-shaped internalspace 141. The holder 140 can also define a flow path of air to besupplied to the stick substrate 150. For example, the bottom 143 has anair inlet hole that is an inlet of air into the flow path. The opening142 serves as an air outlet hole that is an outlet of the air from theflow path.

The stick substrate 150 includes a substrate 151 and an inhalation port152. The substrate 151 includes an aerosol source. The aerosol sourceaccording to the present configuration example is not limited to aliquid. The aerosol source may be a solid. The stick substrate 150 heldby the holder 140 includes the substrate 151 at least partiallyaccommodated in the internal space 141 and the inhalation port 152 atleast partially protruding from the opening 142. When the user inhaleswith the inhalation port 152 protruding from the opening 142 in his/hermouth, air flows into the internal space 141 through the air inlet hole(not illustrated), and the air and an aerosol generated from thesubstrate 151 reach inside the mouth of the user.

The heater 121 heats the aerosol source to atomize the aerosol sourceand generate the aerosol. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, theheater 121 has a film-like shape and surrounds the outer circumferenceof the holder 140. Subsequently, heat produced from the heater 121 heatsthe substrate 151 of the stick substrate 150 from the outercircumference, generating the aerosol. The heater 121 produces heat whenreceiving electric power from the power supply 111. In an example, theelectric power may be supplied in response to the sensor 112 detecting astart of the user's inhalation and/or an input of predeterminedinformation. Subsequently, the supply of the electric power may bestopped in response to the sensor 112 detecting an end of the user'sinhalation and/or an input of predetermined information.

The heat insulator 144 prevents heat from transferring from the heater121 to the other structural elements. For example, the heat insulator144 may be a vacuum heat insulator or an aerogel heat insulator.

The configuration example of the inhaler device 100 has been describedabove. The inhaler device 100 is not limited to the above configuration,and may be configured in various ways as exemplified below.

In an example, the heater 121 may have a blade-like shape, and may bedisposed so that the heater 121 protrudes from the bottom 143 of theholder 140 toward the internal space 141. In this case, the heater 121having the blade-like shape is inserted into the substrate 151 of thestick-type substrate 150 and heats the substrate 151 of the stick-typesubstrate 150 from its inside. In another example, the heater 121 may bedisposed so that the heater 121 covers the bottom 143 of the holder 140.In still another example, the heater 121 may be implemented as acombination of two or more selected from a first heater that covers theouter circumference of the holder 140, a second heater having theblade-like shape, and a third heater that covers the bottom 143 of theholder 140.

In another example, the holder 140 may include an opening/closingmechanism that at least partially opens and closes an outer shelldefining the internal space 141. Examples of the opening/closingmechanism include a hinge. In addition, the holder 140 may sandwich thestick substrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 by opening andclosing the outer shell. In this case, the heater 121 may be at thesandwiching position of the holder 140 and may produce heat whilepressing the stick substrate 150.

In addition, means for atomizing the aerosol source is not limited toheating by the heater 121. For example, the means for atomizing theaerosol source may be induction heating.

Supplementary Description

The controller 116 according to the present embodiment is an example ofthe control device. The controller 116 may be included in the inhalerdevice 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1 or may be provided outside theinhaler device 100.

The sensor 112 according to the present embodiment is an example of adetector that detects a user operation. An operation unit may beconfigured as, for example, a button, a touch sensor, a toggle switch,or a rotary switch. It is hereinafter assumed that the operation unitis, for example, a button. This button is hereinafter also referred toas a power button. The sensor 112 detects pressing and releasing of thepower button. Pressing the power button is an example of a useroperation for giving an instruction for starting or stopping heating bythe heater 121. Releasing the power button is stopping pressing of thepower button.

The controller 116 controls the heater 121 on the basis of a useroperation detected by the sensor 112. Controlling the heater 121 iscontrolling power supply from the power supply 111 to the heater 121.Specifically, the controller 116 causes the power supply 111 to supplyelectric power to the heater 121 to thereby cause the heater 121 toperform heating. The controller 116 causes the power supply 111 to stopsupplying electric power to the heater 121 to thereby stop heating bythe heater 121. The controller 116 controls the amount of power supplyfrom the power supply 111 to the heater 121 to thereby control the rateof rise in the temperature of the heater 121.

1.2. Technical Features

(1) Typical Heating Profile

FIG. 2 is a graph of an example of a typical heating profile. Thehorizontal axis of a graph 10 represents the elapsed time since thestart of heating by the heater 121. The vertical axis of the graph 10represents the temperature of the heater 121. The heating profile isinformation that defines changes in the temperature of the heater 121.The inhaler device 100 changes the temperature of the heater 121 inaccordance with the heating profile shown by the graph 10. As shown bythe graph 10, the heating profile is segmented into three periods,namely, period T11, period T12, and period T13.

Period T11 is a period until the stick substrate 150 becomes ready forinhalation. Period T11 is also referred to as a firstnot-ready-to-inhale period. During the first not-ready-to-inhale period,the inhaler device 100 increases the temperature of the heater 121 to apredetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature is hereinafteralso referred to as a target temperature. The target temperature is setto a temperature such that when the stick substrate 150 is heated at thetarget temperature, a sufficient aerosol is expected to be generated.For example, when the heater 121 heats the stick substrate 150 at thetarget temperature, a large amount of aerosol sufficient for the user toinhale is generated. The target temperature is a temperature higher thanthe lower limit of a temperature at which an aerosol is generated. Thatis, an aerosol may be generated even when the temperature of the heater121 does not reach the target temperature. When the temperature of theheater 121 is increased to the target temperature, the temperature ofthe substrate 151 of the stick substrate 150 can be increased to thetarget temperature, and a sufficient aerosol can be generated.

Period T12 is a period in which the stick substrate 150 is ready forinhalation. When the user inhales with the stick substrate 150 in theirmouth during period T12, the user can inhale an aerosol. Period T12 isalso referred to as a ready-to-inhale period. In the ready-to-inhaleperiod, the inhaler device 100 changes the temperature of the heater 121in accordance with the heating profile. As shown by the graph 10, theinhaler device 100 may perform control to decrease the temperature ofthe heater 121 after the temperature once reaches the targettemperature. When the temperature of the heater 121 is controlled so asnot to be kept at a high temperature, it is possible to prevent anaerosol from being excessively generated in a short time. As a result,the lifetime of the stick substrate 150 can be extended. The lifetime ofthe stick substrate 150 is a period until the aerosol source included inthe stick substrate 150 runs out.

Period T13 is a period after the stick substrate 150 is used. Duringperiod T13, the temperature of the heater 121 gradually decreases, andit becomes gradually difficult to inhale an aerosol. Period T13 is alsoreferred to as a second not-ready-to-inhale period. The start of periodT13 is the timing when the stick substrate 150 ends its lifetime. In anexample, the start of period T13 may be the timing when the elapsed timesince the start of heating by the heater 121 reaches a predeterminedperiod. In another example, the start of period T13 may be the timingwhen the number of times the user inhales reaches a predetermined numberof times.

(2) Introduction of Simplified Heating

In response to the sensor 112 detecting a first user operation, theinhaler device 100 causes the heater 121 to operate in a first heatingstate. In response to the sensor 112 detecting a second user operationwhile the inhaler device 100 is causing the heater 121 to operate in thefirst heating state, the inhaler device 100 causes the heater 121 tooperate in a second heating state. The second user operation is a useroperation different from the first user operation. The second heatingstate is a heating state different from the first heating state. Causingthe heater 121 to operate in the first heating state is hereinafter alsoreferred to as simplified heating. Causing the heater 121 to operate inthe second heating state is hereinafter also referred to as fullheating. The first heating state is hereinafter also referred to as asimplified heating state. The second heating state is hereinafter alsoreferred to as a full heating state.

With the above-described configuration, the inhaler device 100 performssimplified heating in response to detection of the first user operationand performs full heating in response to subsequent detection of thesecond user operation. That is, even after performing simplified heatingin response to detection of the first user operation, the inhaler device100 does not perform full heating unless the second user operation isdetected. Therefore, even when the user performs the first useroperation and simplified heating is performed, the user can interruptheating by not performing the second user operation. Accordingly,usability can be improved.

First User Operation and Second User Operation

Performing the first user operation may be performing a predetermineduser operation continuously for a first duration. Performing the seconduser operation may be performing the predetermined user operationcontinuously for a second duration longer than the first duration. Thestart of the first duration is the same as the start of the secondduration. With such a configuration, when the user continuously performsthe same user operation, simplified heating can be performed, andsubsequently, full heating can be performed. The first user operationand the second user operation form a seamless operation, and therefore,an operation to be performed by the user can be made less complicatedthan in a case where the first user operation and the second useroperation do not form a seamless operation. Simplified heating is notperformed until the predetermined user operation continues for the firstduration, and therefore, taking into consideration the possibility that,for example, the predetermined user operation is instantaneouslyperformed unintentionally, safety can be improved.

The predetermined user operation performed as the first user operationand as the second user operation may be, for example, pressing of thepower button. In this case, when the user presses and holds down thepower button for the first duration, simplified heating can beperformed. When the user presses and holds down the power button for thesecond duration, full heating can be performed. A description will begiven below under the assumption that the predetermined user operationis pressing of the power button.

Details of Simplified Heating State And Full Heating State

The simplified heating state is a state where the upper limit of thetemperature of the heater 121 is lower than that in the full heatingstate. An aerosol is generated in response to the stick substrate 150being heated. Typically, as the heating temperature increases, theamount of generated aerosol increases, and consumption of the aerosolsource increases accordingly. In this regard, with the presentconfiguration, the upper limit of the temperature of the heater 121 inthe simplified heating state is lower than that in the full heatingstate, and consumption of the aerosol source decreases accordingly.Therefore, when simplified heating is performed and heating isinterrupted, a larger amount of the aerosol source can be leftunconsumed in the stick substrate 150 than in a case where full heatingis also performed. Accordingly, it is anticipated that the sticksubstrate 150 is reusable.

The amount of aerosol generated when the heater 121 heats the sticksubstrate 150 at the upper limit of the temperature of the heater 121 inthe simplified heating state is smaller than the amount of aerosolgenerated when the heater 121 heats the stick substrate 150 at the upperlimit of the temperature of the heater 121 in the full heating state.For example, when the heater 121 heats the stick substrate 150 at theupper limit of the temperature of the heater 121 in the simplifiedheating state, a very small amount of aerosol that is not sufficient forthe user to inhale is generated. On the other hand, when the heater 121heats the stick substrate 150 at the upper limit of the temperature ofthe heater 121 in the full heating state, a large amount of aerosolsufficient for the user to inhale is generated. The upper limit of thetemperature of the heater 121 in the full heating state may be equal tothe target temperature in period T11 described with reference to FIG. 2.With the present configuration, an aerosol is less likely to begenerated in the simplified heating state than in the full heatingstate. Therefore, when simplified heating is performed and heating isinterrupted, the stick substrate 150 can be left in a state closer to anunused state than in a case where heating is interrupted after fullheating is started. Accordingly, the stick substrate 150 is reusable.

Note that the upper limit of the temperature of the heater 121 may beregarded as the target value of the temperature of the heater 121. Thatis, in the simplified heating state, the inhaler device 100 may controlthe heater 121 such that the temperature of the heater 121 reaches theupper limit of the temperature of the heater 121 in the simplifiedheating state. Similarly, in the full heating state, the inhaler device100 may control the heater 121 such that the temperature of the heater121 reaches the upper limit of the temperature of the heater 121 in thefull heating state. As a matter of course, the inhaler device 100 mayperform control to decrease the temperature of the heater 121 after thetemperature once reaches the upper limit as described above withreference to FIG. 2.

A description of example changes in the temperature of the heater 121 inthe simplified heating state and in the full heating state will be givenbelow with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 is a graph of example changes in the temperature of the heater121 according to the present embodiment. The horizontal axis of a graph20A represents the elapsed time since the start of holding down of thepower button. The vertical axis of the graph 20A represents thetemperature of the heater 121. In this example, the first duration is aduration of one second. The second duration is a duration of threeseconds. Therefore, during period T21 from when the elapsed time sincethe start of holding down of the power button reaches one second to whenthe elapsed time reaches three seconds, the inhaler device 100 performssimplified heating. During period T22 after the elapse of three secondssince the start of holding down of the power button, the inhaler device100 performs full heating. In this example, the upper limit of thetemperature of the heater 121 in the simplified heating state is 60° C.The upper limit of the temperature of the heater 121 in the full heatingstate is 240° C. Therefore, during period T21, the inhaler device 100performs control such that the temperature of the heater 121 does notexceed 60° C. During period T22, the inhaler device 100 performs controlsuch that the temperature of the heater 121 reaches 240° C. Note that inthe graph 20A, the temperature of the heater 121 rises at a constantrate of rise over period T21 and period T22.

FIG. 4 is a graph of example changes in the temperature of the heater121 according to the present embodiment. The horizontal axis, periodT21, period T22, the vertical axis, 60° C., and 240° C. in a graph 20Bhave meanings the same as those in the graph 20A illustrated in FIG. 3.During period T21, the inhaler device 100 performs control such that thetemperature of the heater 121 does not exceed 60° C. During period T22,the inhaler device 100 performs control such that the temperature of theheater 121 reaches 240° C. Note that in the graph 20B, during periodT21, the temperature of the heater 121 is kept at 60° C. after thetemperature once reaches 60° C., and the temperature rises again in thesubsequent period T22.

From another point of view, the simplified heating state may be a statewhere the rate of rise in the temperature of the heater 121 is lowerthan that in the full heating state. For example, the inhaler device 100may control a rise in the temperature of the heater 121 by PWM (PulseWidth Modulation). In this case, the inhaler device 100 may make theduty ratio in the simplified heating state lower than the duty ratio inthe full heating state. With the present configuration, a rapid rise inthe temperature in the simplified heating state can be prevented, andthe effect of simplified heating on the stick substrate 150 can bereduced. Therefore, the stick substrate 150 is reusable in a state closeto an unused state. The graph 20B illustrated in FIG. 4 shows an examplecase where the rate of rise in the temperature of the heater 121 in thesimplified heating state is lower than the rate of rise in thetemperature of the heater 121 in the full heating state.

As a matter of course, the rate of rise in the temperature of the heater121 in the simplified heating state and the rate of rise in thetemperature of the heater 121 in the full heating state may be equal toeach other. For example, the inhaler device 100 may make the duty ratioin the simplified heating state and the duty ratio in the full heatingstate be equal to each other. With the present configuration, the rateof rise in temperature can be made constant. The graph 20A illustratedin FIG. 3 shows an example case where the rate of rise in thetemperature of the heater 121 in the simplified heating state and therate of rise in the temperature of the heater 121 in the full heatingstate are equal to each other.

From still another point of view, the simplified heating state may be astate where heating is performed when the power button is continuouslypressed. With the present configuration, continuation of pressing of thepower button corresponds to continuation of simplified heating, andtherefore, the user can perform an intuitive operation.

When pressing of the power button is not detected any more after theduration in which the power button is continuously pressed reaches thefirst duration and before the duration reaches the second duration, theinhaler device 100 stops heating by the heater 121 that is operating inthe simplified heating state. That is, the inhaler device 100 performssimplified heating when the duration in which the user is holding downthe power button reaches the first duration, and stops simplifiedheating when the user stops pressing the power button before theduration reaches the second duration. As a matter course, the inhalerdevice 100 does not perform full heating. With the presentconfiguration, the user can interrupt simplified heating and cancel atransition to full heating by performing a simple operation of stoppingpressing of the power button. Therefore, heating based on an erroneousoperation can be prevented, and safety can be improved.

The full heating state may be a state where heating is performed withoutthe power button being continuously pressed. With the presentconfiguration, the user may stop pressing the power button after theuser continuously presses the power button for the second duration, andtherefore, an operation to be performed by the user can be made lesscomplicated.

(3) Effect of Shortening Wait Time of User

In recent years, some inhaler devices have had a function of notsupplying electric power to the heater unless the power button ispressed for a predetermined duration or the power button is pressed apredetermined number of times. With this function, electric power is notsupplied to the heater in response to simple pressing of the powerbutton, and therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent asituation where the inhaler devices accidentally operate in response to,for example, a child's mischief and an unexpected event occurs, andsafety can be improved. Meanwhile, the period from when the user pressesthe power button to when electric power is supplied to the heaterbecomes long due to the function. As a result, the wait time from whenthe user presses the power button to when the ready-to-inhale periodstarts becomes long, and usability is low accordingly.

In this regard, the inhaler device 100 according to the presentembodiment can reduce a decrease in usability while improving safety byperforming simplified heating. This will be described in detail withreference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 illustrates, as a comparative example, aninhaler device that does not perform simplified heating but performsfull heating when the duration in which the power button is continuouslypressed reaches the second duration.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the effect of shortening the waittime of a user attained by the inhaler device 100 according to thepresent embodiment. The horizontal axis of a graph 30 represents theelapsed time since pressing of the power button. In this example, thefirst duration is a duration of one second. The second duration is aduration of three seconds. It is assumed that both the inhaler device100 according to the present embodiment and the inhaler device accordingto the comparative example perform heating in accordance with theheating profile illustrated in FIG. 2. In the heating profileillustrated in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the length of the firstnot-ready-to-inhale period T11 is 15 seconds.

A graph 31, which is an upper graph, shows example time-series changesin the heating state of the inhaler device according to the comparativeexample. As shown by the graph 31, the inhaler device according to thecomparative example does not supply electric power to the heater untilthe elapsed time since the start of holding down of the power buttonreaches three seconds. After the elapse of three seconds, the inhalerdevice according to the comparative example supplies electric power tothe heater and performs full heating. The time from when heating isstarted to when the temperature reaches the target temperature is 15seconds, and therefore, the wait time from when the user starts holdingdown the power button to when the ready-to-inhale period starts is 18seconds (3 seconds+15 seconds).

A graph 32, which is a lower graph, shows example time-series changes inthe heating state of the inhaler device 100 according to the presentembodiment. As shown by the graph 32, the inhaler device 100 does notsupply electric power to the heater until the elapsed time since thestart of holding down of the power button reaches one second. After theelapse of one second, the inhaler device 100 supplies electric power tothe heater and performs simplified heating. Subsequently, the inhalerdevice 100 performs full heating after the elapse of three seconds. Thetime from when heating is started to when the temperature reaches thetarget temperature is 15 seconds, and therefore, the wait time from whenthe user starts holding down the power button to when theready-to-inhale period starts is 16 seconds (1 second+15 seconds).

When the graph 31 and the graph 32 are compared with each other, thewait time in the inhaler device 100 according to the present embodimentis shorter than the wait time in the inhaler device according to thecomparative example by two seconds. Two seconds by which the wait timeis shortened corresponds to two seconds for which simplified heating isperformed in the inhaler device 100. Accordingly, the inhaler device 100according to the present embodiment performs simplified heating tothereby shorten the wait time from when the user starts holding down thepower button to when the ready-to-inhale period starts, and a decreasein usability can be reduced. The inhaler device 100 according to thepresent embodiment does not perform full heating unless the duration inwhich the power button is held down reaches the second duration.Therefore, safety of a level the same as that in the comparative examplecan be maintained.

(4) Configuration for Further Improvement in Safety

When the duration in which the power button is continuously pressedreaches a third duration longer than the second duration, the inhalerdevice 100 may stop heating by the heater 121. The start of the thirdduration is the same as the start of the first duration and that of thesecond duration. That is, the inhaler device 100 performs simplifiedheating when the duration in which the user continuously presses thepower button reaches the first duration, performs full heating when theduration reaches the second duration, and stops full heating when theduration reaches the third duration. Taking into consideration thepossibility that, for example, the power button is pressed by anotheritem in a bag and is unintentionally held down, safety can be improvedwith the present configuration. For example, accidental heating by theheater 121 can be prevented.

When the number of times pressing of the power button is detectedreaches a predetermined number of times within a fourth time period, theinhaler device 100 may control the heater 121 so as not to performheating until a fifth time period elapses. For example, when the numberof times the power button is pressed for less than three seconds reachesthree within 30 seconds (which corresponds to the fourth time period),the inhaler device 100 does not perform heating during the subsequentperiod of three minutes (which corresponds to the fifth time period)even when the power button is pressed. Taking into consideration thepossibility that, for example, the power button is repeatedly pressed byanother item in a bag or a child repeatedly presses the power button outof mischief, and the power button is unintentionally pressed, safety canbe improved with the present configuration.

(5) Notification to User

In the inhaler device 100, before the duration in which the power buttonis continuously pressed reaches the first duration, the notifier 113provides first information. For example, at the timing when holding downof the power button starts, the notifier 113 provides as the firstinformation, information indicating that the power button is pressed,by, for example, vibration, sound, or light. With the presentconfiguration, the inhaler device 100 can make the user recognize thatan instruction for starting power supply to the heater 121 is about tobe input, thereby calling the user's attention.

In the inhaler device 100, in response to detection of the second useroperation, the notifier 113 provides second information. It is desirablethat the second information be information different from the firstinformation. For example, the notifier 113 provides as the secondinformation, information indicating that full heating is started, by,for example, vibration, sound, or light. With the present configuration,the inhaler device 100 can make the user recognize that full heating isstarted, thereby calling the user's attention.

(6) Flow of Process

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example of the flow of a process performedby the inhaler device 100 according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the controller 116 first determines whetherpressing of the power button is detected by the sensor 112 (step S102).If it is determined that pressing of the power button is not detected(NO in step S102), the process returns to step S102 again. On the otherhand, if it is determined that pressing of the power button is detected(YES in step S102), the controller 116 controls the notifier 113 toprovide information indicating that the power button is pressed (stepS104).

Next, the controller 116 starts measuring the duration of pressing ofthe power button (step S106). The duration of pressing of the powerbutton is a duration in which the power button is continuously pressed.

Next, the controller 116 determines whether the measured duration ofpressing of the power button reaches the first duration (step S108). Ifit is determined that the duration of pressing of the power button doesnot reach the first duration (NO in step S108), the process returns tostep S108 again. On the other hand, if it is determined that theduration of pressing of the power button reaches the first duration (YESin step S108), the controller 116 controls the heater 121 to performsimplified heating (step S110).

Next, the controller 116 determines whether the measured duration ofpressing of the power button reaches the second duration (step S112). Ifit is determined that the duration of pressing of the power button doesnot reach the second duration (NO in step S112), the controller 116determines whether releasing of the power button is detected (stepS118). If it is determined that releasing of the power button is notdetected (NO in step S118), the process returns to step S112 again. Onthe other hand, if it is determined that releasing of the power buttonis detected (YES in step S118), the controller 116 controls the heater121 to stop heating (step S120), and the process ends. On the otherhand, if it is determined that the duration of pressing of the powerbutton reaches the second duration (YES in step S112), the controller116 controls the heater 121 to perform full heating (step S114).

The controller 116 controls the notifier 113 to provide informationindicating that full heating is started (step S116).

2. Second Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a configuration example of an inhalersystem 900 according to a second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 7,the inhaler system 900 includes an inhaler device 910 and a controldevice 920.

The inhaler device 910 includes a detector 911 and a heater 912. Thedetector 911 detects a user operation. The heater 912 heats a substrateto thereby generate material to be inhaled by the user.

The control device 920 includes a controller 921. The controller 921controls the heater 912 on the basis of a user operation detected by thedetector 911. Specifically, in response to the detector 911 detectingthe first user operation, the controller 921 causes the heater 912 tooperate in the first heating state. In response to the detector 911detecting the second user operation different from the first useroperation while the controller 921 is causing the heater 912 to operatein the first heating state, the controller 921 causes the heater 912 tooperate in the second heating state different from the first heatingstate.

Now, a description of the flow of a process in the inhaler system 900according to the present embodiment will be given. FIG. 8 is a flowchartof an example of the flow of the process performed by the control device920 according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the control device 920 performs a processrelated to heating in the first heating state (step S202). Specifically,the controller 921 causes the heater 912 to operate in the first heatingstate in response to the detector 911 detecting the first useroperation.

Next, the control device 920 performs a process related to heating inthe second heating state (step S204). Specifically, in response to thedetector 911 detecting the second user operation different from thefirst user operation while the controller 921 is causing the heater 912to operate in the first heating state, the controller 921 causes theheater 912 to operate in the second heating state different from thefirst heating state.

According to the present embodiment, the controller 921 causes theheater 912 to operate in the first heating state in response todetection of the first user operation and causes the heater 912 tooperate in the second heating state in response to subsequent detectionof the second user operation. That is, even when the first useroperation is detected, the controller 921 does not cause the heater 912to operate in the second heating state unless the second user operationis detected. Therefore, even when the user has performed the first useroperation, the user can interrupt heating before a transition to thesecond heating state occurs, by not performing the second useroperation. From this point of view, usability can be improved.

Therefore, the present embodiment can also attain an effect similar tothe effect attained by the first embodiment described above.

3. Supplementary Description

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, thepresent invention is not limited to the above-described examples. It isobvious that one of ordinary skill in the art of the present inventioncan conceive of various changes or corrections without departing fromthe technical spirit stated in the claims, and it is understood thatsuch changes and corrections are also within the technical scope of thepresent invention as a matter of course.

For example, in the above-described embodiments, although an example hasbeen described where performing the first user operation is performingthe predetermined user operation continuously for the first duration andperforming the second user operation is performing the predetermineduser operation continuously for the second duration, the presentinvention is not limited to such an example. For example, performing thefirst user operation may be performing the predetermined user operation.Performing the second user operation may be performing the predetermineduser operation continuously for the second duration. In this case, theinhaler device 100 can start simplified heating without waiting for theduration in which the predetermined user operation is continuouslyperformed reaches the first duration. Therefore, the wait time of theuser can be further made shorter than that in the above-describedembodiments.

For example, in the above-described embodiments, although an example hasbeen described where the predetermined user operation that iscontinuously performed as the first user operation and the second useroperation is holding down of the power button, the present invention isnot limited to such an example. For example, the predetermined useroperation may be pressing and releasing of the power button. In thiscase, repeatedly pressing the power button for the first duration may bedetected as the first user operation. Repeatedly pressing the powerbutton for the second duration may be detected as the second useroperation. Alternatively, instead of pressing the power button, anoperation of, for example, touching a touch panel or rotating a rotarylever may be detected as the first user operation and the second useroperation.

For example, in the above-described embodiments, although an example hasbeen described where the inhaler device 100 generates an aerosol byheating the stick substrate 150, the present invention is not limited tosuch an example. For example, the inhaler device 100 may generate anaerosol by other means in addition to or instead of heating of the sticksubstrate 150. For example, the inhaler device 100 may store an aerosolsource that is a liquid, guides the aerosol source to the heater 121,and heats and atomizes the aerosol source to thereby generate anaerosol. As the means for atomization, any means, such as inductionheating or vibration atomization, may be employed in addition toheating.

Note that a series of processes performed by the devices describedherein may be implemented as any of software, hardware, or a combinationof software and hardware. A program that is the software is stored inadvance in, for example, a recording medium (non-transitory medium) thatis included in each device or that is externally provided. Each programis loaded to a RAM upon execution by a computer and executed by aprocessor such as a CPU. Examples of the recording medium include amagnetic disc, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, and flashmemory. In addition, the computer program may be distributed via, forexample, a network without using a recording medium.

The processes described herein with reference to the flowcharts andsequence charts need not be performed in the illustrated order. Someprocess steps may be performed in parallel, an additional process stepmay be employed, and some process steps may be omitted.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

100 inhaler device

111 power supply

112 sensor

113 notifier

114 memory

115 communicator

116 controller

121 heater

140 holder

141 internal space

142 opening

143 bottom

144 heat insulator

150 stick substrate

151 substrate

152 inhalation port

900 inhaler system

910 inhaler device

911 detector

912 heater

920 control device

921 controller

1. A control device for controlling an inhaler device including adetector that detects a user operation and a heater that heats asubstrate to thereby generate material to be inhaled by a user, thecontrol device comprising a controller that controls the heater on thebasis of the user operation detected by the detector, wherein thecontroller causes the heater to operate in a first heating state inresponse to the detector detecting a first user operation, and causesthe heater to operate in a second heating state different from the firstheating state in response to the detector detecting a second useroperation different form the first user operation while causing theheater to operate in the first heating state.
 2. The control deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the first heating state is a state wherean upper limit of a temperature of the heater is lower than an upperlimit of the temperature of the heater in the second heating state. 3.The control device according to claim 2, wherein an amount of thematerial that is to be inhaled by the user and that is generated inresponse to the heater heating the substrate at the upper limit of thetemperature of the heater in the first heating state is smaller than anamount of the material that is to be inhaled by the user and that isgenerated in response to the heater heating the substrate at the upperlimit of the temperature of the heater in the second heating state. 4.The control device according to claim 1, wherein a rate of rise in atemperature of the heater in the first heating state and a rate of risein the temperature of the heater in the second heating state are equalto each other.
 5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein thefirst heating state is a state where a rate of rise in a temperature ofthe heater is lower than a rate of rise in the temperature of the heaterin the second heating state.
 6. The control device according to claim 1,wherein performing the first user operation is performing apredetermined user operation continuously for a first duration, andperforming the second user operation is performing the predetermineduser operation continuously for a second duration longer than the firstduration.
 7. The control device according to claim 6, wherein the firstheating state is a state where heating is performed when thepredetermined user operation is continuously performed.
 8. The controldevice according to claim 7, wherein when the predetermined useroperation is not detected any more after a duration in which thepredetermined user operation is continuously performed reaches the firstduration and before the duration reaches the second duration, thecontroller stops heating by the heater that is operating in the firstheating state.
 9. The control device according to claim 6, wherein thesecond heating state is a state where heating is performed without thepredetermined user operation being continuously performed.
 10. Thecontrol device according to claim 6, wherein the controller stopsheating by the heater when a duration in which the predetermined useroperation is continuously performed reaches a third duration longer thanthe second duration.
 11. The control device according to claim 6,wherein when the number of times the predetermined user operation isdetected reaches a predetermined number of times within a fourth timeperiod, the controller controls the heater so as not to perform heatinguntil a fifth time period elapses.
 12. The control device according toclaim 6, wherein the inhaler device further includes a notifier thatprovides information to the user, and the controller controls thenotifier to provide first information before a duration in which thepredetermined user operation is continuously performed reaches the firstduration.
 13. The control device according to claim 1, wherein theinhaler device further includes a notifier that provides information tothe user, and the controller controls the notifier to provide secondinformation in response to detection of the second user operation. 14.The control device according to claim 1, wherein performing the firstuser operation is performing a predetermined user operation, andperforming the second user operation is performing the predetermineduser operation continuously for a second duration.
 15. A control methodfor controlling an inhaler device including a detector that detects auser operation and a heater that heats a substrate to thereby generatematerial to be inhaled by a user, the control method comprisingcontrolling the heater on the basis of the user operation detected bythe detector, wherein the controlling of the heater includes causing theheater to operate in a first heating state in response to the detectordetecting a first user operation, and causing the heater to operate in asecond heating state different from the first heating state in responseto the detector detecting a second user operation different form thefirst user operation while causing the heater to operate in the firstheating state.
 16. A non-transitory computer readable medium having aprogram stored therein, the program causing a computer for controllingan inhaler device including a detector that detects a user operation anda heater that heats a substrate to thereby generate material to beinhaled by a user, to function as a controller that controls the heateron the basis of the user operation detected by the detector, wherein thecontroller causes the heater to operate in a first heating state inresponse to the detector detecting a first user operation, and causesthe heater to operate in a second heating state different from the firstheating state in response to the detector detecting a second useroperation different form the first user operation while causing theheater to operate in the first heating state.